biketreeTwo unique agreements approved Dec. 9 create new partnerships between the Port of Vancouver USA, Friends of Trees and Vancouver Watersheds Alliance.

Approval by the port’s Board of Commissioners allows these two local non-profit organizations to plant trees on behalf of the port. The groups’ work will help mitigate property development impacts and establish more trees throughout the city.

As the port develops property, we are often required to mitigate for removal of trees. Historically the port has mitigated tree removal by planting trees on the 31-acre Parcel 2 site, which is located west of Farwest Steel on the south side of SR 501. However, Parcel 2 is now almost fully planted, and there are no suitable alternatives to plant elsewhere on port property. Our agreements with Friends of Trees and Vancouver Watersheds Alliance allow each non-profit organization to plant trees throughout the city and provide the port mitigation “credits” toward current and/or future development projects.  

The agreements provide a multitude of benefits, including:

  • Supporting the City of Vancouver’s goal to provide for the protection, preservation and expansion of urban trees.
  • Promoting and funding Friends of Trees and Vancouver Watersheds Alliance programs that bring people together to plant and care for city trees and green spaces.
  • Reducing tree mitigation costs to the port and helping preserve industrial property.
  • Helping the local community by planting trees in Vancouver neighborhoods to improve aesthetics, air quality and shade protection.

Under the agreements with the port, Friends of Trees and Vancouver Watersheds Alliance will work with the city of Vancouver to determine where the trees are most needed and where they will thrive in the urban landscape.

 The port expects to plant the first trees early next year. Stay tuned for more information about this program and potential volunteer opportunities.